This year's midseason squad includes a third receiver because today's game is wide open. And the D is 3--4, with an invasive three-technique tackle rather than a beefier nose. That's where we're headed

A YEAR AFTER THE JERRY SANDUSKY REVELATIONS ROCKED THE UNIVERSITY AND PUT THE FOOTBALL CULTURE ON TRIAL, PEOPLE IN HAPPY VALLEY REMAIN DIVIDED ABOUT WHERE THE RESPONSIBILITY LIES—BUT NOT ABOUT THEIR SURPRISINGLY RESILIENT NITTANY LIONS

Sports Illustrated DIGITAL

Calling an Audible: Percy Harvin for MVP? In SI.com's daily NFL blog, Chris Burke makes the case that the Vikings' top playmaker should be the front-runner for the league's most valuable player award. "The last five NFL MVPs have been quarterbacks, and the Associated Press's MVP has wound up in a quarterback's or running back's hands every year except for 1986 (linebacker Lawrence Taylor), 1982 (kicker Mark Moseley) and 1971 (defensive tackle Alan Page)," Burke writes. "It will take an extraordinary effort from a non-QB/RB to buck that trend again. But if Harvin keeps up his current pace at wide receiver, running back and on special teams, there will be no way to keep him out of those conversations." Go to SI.com to read more of Burke's Audibles, in which he also expounds on the NFL trade deadline as well as which teams are on this week's "must-win" watch.

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SI DIGITAL BONUS

Swinging From The Heels

From the SI Vault: Aug. 10, 2009

The Giants finally found an everyday star who could light up a clubhouse—as well as opposing pitchers—in Pablo Sandoval

BY LEE JENKINS

Kung Fu Pandemonium

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Ian Thomsen On ...

David Stern

The lesson of Stern's success is that the NBA increased revenues by focusing on the entertainment, which enabled the games to be viewed by audiences that cared less about the sport and more about the personalities. The formula for his successor, Adam Silver, will be to continue to sell the NBA as something more than a traditional sports league.